The Island Shaped Like the Character for 'Heart' — Reachable Only by Boat: Jisimdo

Fifteen minutes by boat from Jangseungpo Port in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, the first thing visitors notice after stepping onto Jisimdo's pier is the quiet that settles in once the engine cuts out. Visitors describe hearing nothing but birdsong and wind moving through the trees.

This column has already featured two bridge-connected islands, Byeongpungdo and Banwoldo/Bakjido in Sinan. This time it picked an island with no bridge at all, reachable only by boat — because with just five sailings a day, quiet arrives before the crowds do.

About 70% of Jisimdo's trees are camellias, and seen from above, the island's shape resembles the Chinese character '心' (heart) — hence its name. Even at midday, the dense camellia forest forms a shaded tunnel, so walking through it feels like the forest itself becomes the path.

Camellias bloom from December through April, peaking in February and March. In September there are no flowers, but visitors get deep-green evergreen camellia woods and cooling sea breezes instead — return in winter or spring and the same forest shows an entirely different face.

Getting there from Seoul: take the KTX to Busan, transfer at Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal to an intercity bus bound for Jangseungpo in Geoje (about an hour since the Geoga Bridge opened), then catch the ferry to Jisimdo. Boats leave from two ports under two different operators: Jangseungpo, five sailings between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at roughly two-hour intervals, and Jisepo, five sailings from 8:45 a.m. with returns from the island between 9:05 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. (Fares and schedules shift with season and weather, so check with the terminal before you go.)

Quick reference: Two terminals, two operators, two fares. From Jangseungpo — round trip 12,000 won adults / 6,000 won children, five sailings 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., about every two hours (Geoje City information). From Jisepo (Jisimdo Pangpang) — round trip 20,000 won adults / 10,000 won children, five sailings from 8:45 a.m., returning from the island 9:05 a.m.-5:05 p.m. Crossing 15 minutes. No island entry fee. Enquiries 055-681-6007. Camellias peak February-March. Fares and times change with season and weather — confirm with the terminal before you travel.

If you're worn out from crowds, consider a day on this small island you can only reach by boat, not a bridge, with nothing but birdsong for company. If you've been to Jisimdo or plan to go, drop your photos and tips in the Korea Tourism Times open chat for the next traveler.

Correction, October 19, 2026 — this article first gave the fare as 14,000 won for adults and 7,000 won for children. That figure matched neither terminal. Jangseungpo and Jisepo are run by different operators at different fares, and the article has been corrected accordingly.